Alaska is a massive, complicated place, and its politics are usually just as wild as its landscape. Honestly, if you were looking at the Alaska at-large congressional district election results this past November, you saw something that felt like a long time coming for the GOP but was a gut punch for fans of Mary Peltola. After a couple of years of Democratic control in a state that usually leans deep red, the seat finally flipped back.
Republican Nick Begich III took the win. It wasn't a total blowout, but in the world of ranked-choice voting (RCV), a win is a win. Begich ended up with about 51.2% of the vote after the final round of tabulation, while Peltola finished with 48.8%.
For a lot of people outside the Last Frontier, Peltola was the ultimate political unicorn—a pro-fish, pro-gun Democrat who managed to win over a state that Donald Trump won by double digits. But this time, the math just didn't hold up for her.
The Numbers That Flipped the Seat
If you just look at the raw "first-choice" votes, Begich was already leading. He pulled in 159,777 votes right out of the gate, which was roughly 48.5% of the total. Peltola wasn't far behind with 152,948 votes (46.4%), but being behind in Alaska’s system is a dangerous spot to be in.
Because nobody hit that magic 50% mark immediately, the state had to go to the "instant runoff."
Basically, they started eliminating the lower-tier candidates. First to go was Eric Hafner, a Democrat who—get this—was actually serving a 20-year federal prison sentence in New Jersey during the election. He managed to grab over 3,500 votes despite never setting foot in the state during the campaign. Once he was out, they moved on to John Wayne Howe of the Alaskan Independence Party.
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Most of those third-party or "exhausted" votes ended up trickling toward Begich. By the time the dust settled on November 20, 2024, Begich had gained enough of those second and third preferences to push him over the finish line.
Why Did Mary Peltola Lose?
It’s sort of a "perfect storm" situation.
First, the Republican party finally got its act together. Back in 2022, the GOP vote was split between Begich and former Governor Sarah Palin. They spent more time attacking each other than they did the Democrat, which effectively handed the seat to Peltola on a silver platter.
This time around, things were different. While Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom originally jumped into the race with a big endorsement from Donald Trump, she eventually dropped out after the primary. She saw the writing on the wall: if two major Republicans stayed in, Peltola would probably win again. By clearing the field, the GOP consolidated its power behind Begich.
Then you have the "Trump Effect." Donald Trump won Alaska by about 13 points in 2026. While Peltola is popular, outperforming your party’s presidential nominee by 10 points is an exhausting hill to climb every two years. Eventually, the gravity of the state's natural conservative lean just pulled the seat back.
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Peltola also had a rough couple of years personally. Her husband, Gene Peltola Jr., tragically died in a plane crash in 2023. Even her political opponents, like Senator Lisa Murkowski, noted the "unimaginable personal tragedy" she faced while trying to represent a state that is notoriously difficult to navigate.
Who is Nick Begich III?
The name Begich is basically royalty in Alaska, but usually, it's a Democratic name. His grandfather, Nick Begich Sr., was the Congressman who disappeared in a famous 1972 plane crash. His uncles, Mark and Tom, were prominent Democrats.
Nick III, however, is a conservative tech entrepreneur. He ran as a standard-bearer for the MAGA-aligned wing of the party, focusing heavily on:
- Opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for drilling.
- Reducing federal spending to combat inflation.
- Supporting the Willow Project, which ironically, Peltola also supported.
He’s a guy who knows the business side of things, and he successfully framed the election as a choice between "Alaska’s interests" and "the Biden-Harris agenda." Even though Peltola tried to distance herself from the national party, Begich made sure every voter in the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage knew they were linked.
The Survival of Ranked-Choice Voting
One of the most surprising parts of the Alaska at-large congressional district election results night wasn't even the candidates. It was Ballot Measure 2.
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There was a massive push to repeal ranked-choice voting entirely. Critics (mostly on the right) argued it was too confusing and designed to help moderates. But Alaskans apparently kinda like the weirdness. The repeal measure failed by a razor-thin margin—roughly 664 votes.
So, RCV is staying. For now.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
With Begich in the House, the GOP's slim majority got a tiny bit more breathing room. For Alaskans, it means a shift in tone. Peltola was a "bridge-builder" who worked with Murkowski. Begich is expected to be a more traditional partisan vote, though he’s promised to keep Alaska’s unique needs at the forefront.
Peltola hasn't disappeared, though. There is already talk of her running for the seat again or even challenging for a Senate spot in the future. She remains one of the most popular Democrats in the country, and her "Fish, Family, Freedom" brand still resonates in the rural bush communities.
If you’re tracking how these results impact your own life or the political landscape, here are some actionable ways to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Federal Register for Alaska Land Use: Now that Begich is in, expect a push for more resource extraction permits. If you're in the energy or environmental sector, these changes will move fast.
- Watch the 2026 Primary Filings: Since RCV survived, keep an eye on how many candidates jump in early. The "top-four" system encourages more people to run, which can shift the math unexpectedly.
- Audit Your Voter Registration: If you moved within the state during the 2024 cycle, make sure your data is current with the Alaska Division of Elections before the next local cycle begins.
The 2024 results proved that Alaska isn't just a "red state"—it's a "personality state." Begich won because he consolidated the party, but the close margin shows that a moderate message still has a massive audience in the North.